Chapter 61
Olivia felt a painful knot in her heart, but she suppressed it, maintaining at somber expression. “Hmm, okay. I understand.”
Tyler understood her thoughts and reassured her, “You don’t have to overthink it.
She replied softly, “Okay.”
He walked away, leaving her with her thoughts and the lingering pain in her
heart.
The birthday party Tyler threw for Naomi was a grand affair, attended by both friends and relatives. Naomi, dressed and made up, stood by his side with a cheerful expression. Together, they made a perfect couple.
Relatives chatted in the living room, surrounding Naomi. Olivia lingered nearby, unsure if she should join in.
Someone noticed her and commented, “Olivia has grown so much. Oh my, she’s so pretty.”
Darren and Mrs. Jones, wearing smiles, chimed in, “Yes, indeed. She has blossomed into a young lady.”
In reality, they were not genuinely pleased to see her. She had stirred up controversy among the relatives in the past, and they were often criticized whenever her name came up.
As they chatted, nobody invited Olivia to join them, not even her parents.
Tyler noticed this, as did Naomi. Strangely, Naomi did nothing to include Olivia. Tyler refrained from intervening, considering it a family matter.
Olivia was perceptive. She greeted the relatives and then quietly retreated
upstairs to her room.
When Tyler swirled his wine glass, Naomi suddenly retched, covering her mouth quickly.
Nervousness spread among the relatives as they witnessed this.
Tyler held her arm, asking, “How do you feel?”
She suppressed her nausea and replied softly, “Just a reaction from the chemo.”
He said in concern, “Don’t drink wine.”
She agreed, feeling touched. “Mm–hmm, got it.”
Chapter 61.
said.
However, what Naomi said made her panic.
Tyler didn’t seem to care about her internal struggle. He walked past her and entered his room.
*
At midnight, Olivia came to his
room air
He whispered into her ear, “You were really pretty tonight, do you know that?”
Everyone had complimented Naomi, but no one had acknowledged her.
Everyone’s attention had been on Naomi, while Olivia had been overlooked in the corner. She didn’t have an identity or a place even at the Joneses‘ official family gathering.
Tyler had noticed all of this.
He told her she looked pretty, but she didn’t react. Both of them were resisting each other, but they couldn’t help but grow closer.
He gently held her wrist and told her, “You would look even more beautiful in that red gown.”
Should he have said that? She wasn’t sure if she should interpret his words as innocent.
She was conflicted, wondering whether he was pitying her or flirting with her. Naturally, she wasn’t the only one confused; even Tyler wasn’t sure if he was offering pity or expressing his genuine feelings unconsciously.
Meanwhile, at the hospital, Naomi was in her ward. It was her birthday today, but she felt lonely after returning to the hospital. She wondered what Tyler was doing
at that moment.
She continued calling him.
